Dear Subscribers,
Some gratefully received rain bombarded us here in Gainesville, Florida. In fact it was a record for the date; over three inches, and this is the dry season. This weather continues for the next few days. It is expected to rain again early next week. Northern Florida by and large escaped super storm Sandy, catching only the edge as it moved northward.
I have returned from the west coast, visiting Fallbrook, Riverside, Victorville, and Los Angeles, CA proper. I gave talks to the
Beekeepers Association of Southern California in two venues, Glendora and La Mirada. I also was able to visit
Tom and Suki Glenn in Fallbrook, CA . They are retiring from the business of raising queens and will be focusing on consulting in honey bee breeding. Tom is excited about the new information concerning the VSH trait, which has recently been published.
Submitted to: Journal of Apicultural Research
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: June 15, 2012
Publication Date: July 2, 2012
Citation: Danka, R.G., Harris, J.W., Villalobos, E. 2012. Varroa
destructor resistance of honey bees in Hawaii, USA, that express various
levels of Varroa sensitive hygiene (VSH). Journal of Apicultural
Research. 51(3):288-290.
Interpretive Summary: There is a large industry for production of honey bee queens in Hawaii, USA, that now is threatened by Varroa mites. The few miticides that commonly are used to manage mites can interfere with queen rearing and sperm production, and so can be problematic for queen production operations. We determined the usefulness of mite-resistant bees for managing mites. The bees were bred for a resistance trait known as Varroa sensitive hygiene (VSH). A commercial queen breeder established 30 colonies that had either 0%, 50% or 75% of the genetics for VSH. We sampled the colonies every two months to monitor the density of Varroa mites and to measure the population of brood. Individual colonies that reached a threshold density of mites (10 mites per 100 bees) were removed from the experiment and treated with a miticide. We found that Varroa mites were significantly suppressed only in the group of colonies with 75% VSH. Six months after colonies were formed, all 0% and 50% VSH colonies required treatment. In the 75% VSH colonies, average mite densities increased to 5 mites per 100 bees at 4 months and then decreased to 0.5 mites per 100 bees at 8 months. Brood populations were smaller in the 75% VSH colonies than in the other groups. This information provides initial guidance for using genetically resistant bees to manage Varroa mites in the tropical conditions of Hawaii. More than half of the genetics for VSH are necessary to significantly suppress mites, and further breeding to retain large colonies is required.
Finally, I visited
Dr. Kirk Visscher at the University of California at Riverside. He agrees that the situation with reference to Africanized honey bees has diminished since their introduction into California in the 1990s. They are no longer a "huge problem,” although this doesn't mean they can be taken for granted. Care in manipulating them is still in order and the Africanized characteristics including defensive behavior, swarming and absconding continue to be problematic in some areas. One
group is apparently pushing the honey bee removal envelope to the consternation of a few other beekeepers in the area, but appears to be thriving.
Dr. Jamie Ellis and crew at the University of Florida continue gearing up for the first ever
Caribbean Beekeeping College, January 2,3,4 St. George's University in Grenada. There's still time to register
Registration continues for the
North American Beekeeping Conference and Trade Show to be held in Hershey, PA. The dates are January 8 through 12, 2013; this year's event includes the meeting of the
American Association of Professional Apiculturists (AAPA). I am looking for a room mate for this convention; all rooms are set up for double occupancy. Let me know if you are interested.
San Diego, CA hosts the
American Honey Producers Association the same week. The fact that two (2) national beekeeping associations have conventions at the same time, yet on different sides of the continent raises some eyebrows. There have been a few attempts at joint meetings as in
Reno, Nevada, which were extremely successful. The trend, however, has not continued.
Here's what I wrote in 1996 about the situation when after many years both groups met together for the first time: “The last American Beekeeping Federation (ABF) meeting in Portland, Oregon was in 1969. It was a momentous one according to all accounts. It marked the secession of a cadre of members that became the American Honey Producers Association (AHPA). Ever since then, this group has vied with the Federation for the hearts, minds and dues of the United States beekeeper. The division resulted in two national associations walking the halls of the nation’s capital, each seeking to represent a very small beekeeping industry, but often with a different message. It took a long time and common foe, Chinese honey, to finally get both groups to cooperate once again. This culminated in the successful anti-dumping suit that almost doubled the price of bulk honey. Only time will tell, however, whether this auspicious beginning, a celebration of elevated honey prices in Portland in 1996, will bring the Federation full circle culminating in a reunion with the AHPA.”
Thanks to John Grafton, long-time bee inspector in Ohio, who sent me the URL of himself and Dr. Jim Tew narrating a series of “
video fact sheets.” These are well done; some of the best I've seen, and worth a look. Another
educational initiative is being offered by the American Beekeeping Federation. Most recently Dr. Roger Hoopingarner, retired from Michigan State University, and Marion Ellis of the University of Nebraska have presented webinars on diseases and pests. The Federation has archived a number of webinars by leading scientists in their members only area.
Some may have heard of the European initiative called
Coloss (Prevention of honey bee COlony LOSSes). One of the most interesting projects is an attempt to standardize honey bee research through publication of what is being called a
Beebook. A glance at the table of contents reveals perhaps more than anything else the basic complexity of honey bee research.
It's not too soon to be thinking about almond pollination if you are in that business. Some of the best information is available from
Project ApisM.
An influential book has been released regarding biodiversity. David Littschwager (
A World in One Cubic Foot) presents portraits of the diverse life forms that moved through one cubic foot of space over twenty-four hours in six different ecosystems around the world. Significantly, a corn field has strikingly less biodiversity than many other habitats as
Robert Krulwich found out from science writer
Craig Childs.
Preparations for the
43rd edition of Apimonida in Ukraine continue. Please follow this
link to register and participate.
Check the articles for December 2012 and are found at
Publish2.com: They include (1) Host adaptations reduce the reproductive success of Varroa destructor in two distinct European honey bee populations; Avignon (French) and Gotland (Swedish) honey bees are more tolerant to mites; (2) Honey bee genetic breakthrough may explain mass bee death; epigenetics http://apisenterprises.com/papers_htm/BC2008/Epigenetics.htm in action in honey bees. This may determine how pesticides affect honey bee colony loss. (3)Plans to put a beehive in every Berkeley middle school; even where there are Africanized honey bees, initiatives are being formed to put honey bees in schools. (4) Apalachicola’s Gold: Archaeology and History of Tupelo Honey Production in Northwest Florida; Great history of a special part of Florida's beekeeping (5) youtube.com; A wonderful movie of drone and queen coupling. Photography has come a long way since Dr. Norman Gary did his ground-breaking work in the 1970s. Selling marked Carnica queens never looked easier (6) Bee ban amended with more inspection fees - Nova Scotia; The message is out there. Growers demand more bees for their crops. (7) Beekeeping the old way; You can still keep bees the "old way" it seems. Many places, however, consider it illegal, requiring movable frames. Looks like the apiary in the photo is a mixture of hive types .(8) MasonBeesForSales.com is Now Disrupting Honey Bees Market with More Efficient Bees; Mason bees replacing honey bees. Will moving mason bees around cause unexpected problems in those populations? (9). Western Australia honeybee paradise under threat; Australians expecting Varroa.getting ready! And (10) Marin Beekeepers' Survivor Stock Queen Rearing Project; This is an old initiative it seems; not really sure of the date, but interesting, especially linking to an article about John Kefuss
Check out the latest at the
Extension Bee Health site.
Forty Five copies of
Storey's Guide to Honey Bees were sold on amazon.com from November 12, 2012 - December 9, 2012. Portland, Oregon and Albany, New York lead with the most books sold during that period.
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Gleanings from the December, 2012 Bee Culture:
Remember that Bee Culture now has a
digital edition.
Vaugn Bryant, College Station, TX liked the coverage by M.E.A McNeil of his program on identifying honey. Dan Conlon, South Deerfield, MA sends kudos for the October editorial on customer service. Bruce Sabuda adds a tip about bee vacs (pretty simple). Steven McCoy provides current and background information on the
Russian Bee Breeders Association.
Frank Chamberlin, Asheboro, NC provides his two cents on the DDT controversy. Frank Gunseor, Coeur d'Alene, ID provides tips on watering bees. Ross Englehart report seeing intelligence in a single bee and Jeffrey Hamelman, Hartland, VT cut out the article on Vaugh Bryant, putting it among his most favorite over the years.
Rose Lee, Atchison, KS thanks Bee Culture for its May 2005 cover; that got her into beekeeping, resulting in a first place wax art design at the Kansas State Fair. Jim Cowan, Aberdeen, WA provides his own recipe for “curing AFB.” Gary Cook, gacook4@juno.com in Utah provides his own analysis on planting for honey bees paying its way. Norris Childs, Walnut Creek, CA wonders why bees are licking the leaves of his watering device. Bob O'Neil, Clinton, NY writes that he enjoys catching swarms in his swarm catcher (picture provided). Lonnie Larson, Huntley, MT reports on his experiences with pesticide kills on his bees. Finally, Jeff Singletary, Lebanon, TN complains that Rachel Carson's Silent Spring was more ideology than science. Read Editor Flottum's spirited reply.
For the beekeeper on your list, consider the
Natural Beekeeping DVD; the array of t-shirts available at
http://goldenbeeproducts.com; the BBK
Guide to Beekeeping (especially for the UK) ; Peter Seiling's Hive Making Manual; the
busy bee calendar and the
revolutionary power blanket to heat honey.
Editor Flottum in the Inner Cover writes about his significant relationship with the Land Grant System, established by the Morrill Act. Two other articles in this issue deal with this as well. turning 150 years old. The good news is the system is still around; the bad news is that its funding is always in jeopardy. Read why he says beekeeping is no longer “sustainable” from his perspective, and his take on Nick Calderon's effort to update contributions of insect pollinators to U.S. Agriculture.
It's Summers Time reveals that super storm Sandy got to Ohio with hurricane force winds, etc. The chickens appear to have been the worst affected population in Medina. Kathy writes about childhood memories of “Turkey Day” that starts the annual Christmas music fest ending on New Years.
Clarence Collison and Audrey Sheridan take a closer look at hygienic behavior. Read about this trait and the new VSH variant, reported elsewhere in this newsletter.
Judy Chen and Jay Evans explain RNAi and how it might be useful in treating honey bee diseases. Read the history of this interesting process and its possibilities.
Maryann Henein reports on activists picketing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). About a hundred folks showed up to help beekeeper David Hackenberg demand EPA take action against neonicotinoids generally and clothianidin specifically. Read their complaint and what they want done.
Nick Calderon's article on the contribution of insect pollinators to U.S agriculture provides details on why estimating this figure is difficult. The various results achieved by others show lots of variability; read the various sources of underestimation. One thing is clear; it's not just honey bees providing pollination, but that is a population that can be actively managed.
Larry Connor examines how pollen, nectar and propolis are used in the hive. This is the 7th edition of his series on teaching beekeeping. Read his list of field activities suggested for those beginning to keep bees.
Jim Tew provides the details on assembling wooden frames. Read about the components, how they are related and the kinds of technology (pneumatic staplers) available. See related information at
www.ohiostatebeekeepers.org.
Una Robertson describes six (6) of the beekeeping personalities that stand out as part of the Scottish Beekeepers' Association. Read about the 100th anniversary of this institution and the decades of work some have dedicated to keeping it going.
Ross Conrad urges people to be pollinator friendly. Read the most important things you can do to ensure a viable pollinator future.
Toni Burnham in her column “Downtown” observes that beekeepers are all too often a “hive divided.” Read why she says the old saw, “two beekeepers, three opinions” is actually optimistic.
M.E.A McNeil says happy birthday to the USDA and Land Grant Colleges. Read about the history of these institutions and how the are related.
Ann Harman visits the USDA bee labs. Read her description of the kinds of research many beekeepers don't really know is happening.
Jennifer Berry sees Morrill in action at the University of Georgia. Read how this institution survived the rigors of the U.S. Civil War to emerge as a jewel in the Land Grant System.
In all the news that fits, Alan Harman reports on the “genetic shuffle,” where bees' genes are spread around among individuals to produce a more vibrant community. He also writes that investigators in the UK are developing a computer model of a honey bee brain, and that the U. of Hawaii was given $30,000 to study management of small hive beetle.
This month Bee Culture publishes its year end index. Four pages full of key words from 2012.
As usual, Ed Colby gets the last word of the year in his Bottom Board. Read his comparison of wayward sheep to Varroa control.
Sincerely,
Malcolm T. Sanford
beeactor@apisenterprises.com
http://apis.shorturl.com
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